Review: SteelSeries Siberia V2 Heat Orange Headset

Today we are taking a look at the SteelSeries Siberia V2 Heat Orange Limited Edition Headset. The V2 Heat Orange is very similar to the Siberia V2 Cross-Platform headset we reviewed a few months ago. Since they share so many similarities, this review will focus on the differences between the two headsets; the rest should be pretty much the same, so we recommend checking out that review here.

Here are the specifications for it:

Headphones

Frequency response: 18 ? 28000 Hz

Impedance: 40 Ohm

Cable length: 1.2m / 3 ft.

USB Cable extension: 2m / 6.5 ft.

Microphone

Frequency response: 50 ? 16000 Hz

Pick up pattern: Uni-directional

Sensitivity: -38 dB

Active noise reduction: Up to 20dB

Two main things make these headphones unique from the regular Siberia V2 headset. First is the color scheme: the earcups each have 8 orange LED lights that can pulsate at high, medium, or low settings, or can stay solidly on. Second is the built in USB soundcard: the regular Siberia V2 uses regular 3.5mm jacks, but the Heat Orange edition uses the integrated SteelSeries USB soundcard and connects to the PC using USB.

The headphones have a glossy look, as opposed to the matte black Siberia V2 Cross-Platforms we had, but it does not appear to easily attract fingerprints. One might expect that the orange lighting may appear distracting or over the top, but it is actually quite tastefully done, and looks quite nice (subjectively of course).

As with all SteelSeries headsets, the Heat Orange edition includes their signature retractable microphone, though the Heat Orange also includes active noise cancelling to improve sound quality and clear up excess background noise; a benefit of the USB soundcard that the regular Siberia V2 doesn’t share

We really like the fact that the volume control is so far up along the cable, making it easy to access. SteelSeries also includes a long USB extention cable (6.5 feet) to use if the regular cable (3 feet) isn’t long enough.

The sound from the Siberia V2 Heat Orange edition is great, similar performance to our Cross-Platform, as is our microphone’s capability, though the Heat Orange appears to capture even more clearly than the Cross-Platform did.

As on the Cross-Platform, the headphones are exceptionally comfortable and do not put any pressure on the ears due to the expanding headband design.

Overall we were quite impressed with the SteelSeries Siberia V2 Heat Orange Limited Edition Headset. We like the color scheme even more than the Siberia V2 Cross-Platform, we like the sound it produces, we like the improved microphone technology, and we especially love the single cable, which is much less hassle to use on a PC than the variety of cables used with the Cross-Platform. We understand that the Cross-Platform needed all that in order to work on multiple platforms, but for regular PC use, we definitely prefer to use our Heat Orange headset. At an MSRP of $119, it’s a bit pricey. Even though it has the same MSRP of the Cross-Platform headset, the Cross-Platform was retailing for around $95 at the time of our review; the Heat Orange is retailing at $119. However, since it is a limited edition, part of the appeal is in the rarity of the headset, in which case it might be worth the extra expense for the buyer looking for something more unique.

In any case, if you’re fine with spending the requisite $119, we expect you won’t have any regrets with the SteelSeries Siberia V2 Heat Orange Limited Edition Headset, it’s a solid performer with a great aesthetic.